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BREAD OF LIFE READINGS, APRIL 2024

TLH = The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941; WS = Worship Supplement 2000; LSB = Lutheran Service Book, 2006

Date Hymns Reading Comments
April 1 TLH 384 / LSB 559 1 Corinthians 9 Rather than claim the rights that he might rightfully claim, Paul forfeits his rights and makes himself a servant to all people for the sake of the Gospel.
April 2 TLH 291 1 Corinthians 10 Paul warns the Roman believers to learn from the example of Israel during the Exodus, to flee from idolatry, and to do everything to the glory of God.
April 3 TLH 315 / LSB 618 1 Corinthians 11 We are to imitate our leaders insofar as our leaders imitate Christ. Because the wearing of head coverings has become attached to the confession of the objective distinction between men and women, Paul commands the women of Corinth to cover their heads. Paul rebukes the Corinthian believers for their improper practices surrounding the Lord’s Supper.
April 4 TLH 388 / LSB 570 1 John 1 John writes his epistle as an eyewitness of Christ and His works. By faith we live in the light of our Savior and we enjoy fellowship with God and with one another.
April 5 TLH 430 / LSB 730 1 John 2 Jesus is our Advocate with God the Father. Jesus has paid the price of His blood for the sins of all people. Believers in Christ love one another. Believers in Christ cannot love this corrupt world. John warns that false teachers, antichrists, will arise within the church to deceive the faithful.
April 6 TLH 208 / LSB 470 John 20 Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John witness the empty tomb of Jesus. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. Jesus appears to the disciples gathered in Jerusalem. One week later Jesus appears to the disciples, including Thomas. “These are written so that you may believe.”
April 8 TLH 395 / LSB 696 1 John 5 By faith in Jesus Christ we overcome the world. Our faith shows itself in obedience to every command of the Lord. Our faith prevents us from willfully continuing to live in sin.
April 9 TLH 206 / LSB 741 1 Corinthians 12 Paul encourages the Corinthians to apply their varied spiritual gifts faithfully. The Church of Christ is like the human body. Each member plays a unique role for the good of the body.
April 10 LSB 695 1 Corinthians 13 Paul describes love beautifully. Faith will give way to sight as we see and experience fully that which we now anticipate by faith. Hope will give way to possession as we receive that which we now expect in Christ. Love, however, never ends.
April 11 TLH 360 / LSB 528 1 Corinthians 14 Tongue-speaking has become a problem in Corinth. Paul teaches that without someone who is able to interpret, the tongue-speaking cannot edify the body of Christ. Instead of speaking in tongues, believers strive to prophesy, that is, to proclaim the Word of the Lord.
April 12 TLH 445 1 Corinthians 16 Paul instructs the faithful to set aside regular offerings for the work of the church, in proportion to their incomes. Paul intends to visit Corinth during his travels. Paul closes his letter with instructions and with greetings.
April 13 TLH 193 / LSB 469 Luke 24 The women find Jesus’ tomb empty on Easter morning. Two angels tell them the good news, “He is not here, but has risen.” Peter also witnesses the empty tomb. Jesus appears to two disciples as they walk to Emmaus. Jesus appears to the disciples gathered in Jerusalem. Jesus ascends into heaven.
April 15 LSB 483 Genesis 10 Moses records the genealogy of the sons of Noah after the flood. From these family lines have come every nation of people on earth today.
April 16 LSB 837 Genesis 11 The prideful descendants of Noah plan to glorify themselves, banding together to construct a great city with a tower reaching into the heavens. The Lord confuses their language and scatters them over the face of the earth. Moses traces the descendants of Shem down to Abram.
April 17 TLH 207 / LSB 548 Genesis 12 The Lord calls Abram to leave from his country and to settle in the land of Canaan. The Lord makes the messianic promise to Abram for the first time. Abram, Sarai his wife, and Lot his nephew travel to Canaan. During a time of famine, Abram travels to Egypt, where he passes Sarai off as his sister.
April 18 TLH 205 / LSB 478 Genesis 13 Abram and Lot separate so that their great flocks and herds will have room to graze. Lot settles in Sodom, and Abram settles by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron.
April 19 TLH 383 / LSB 557 Acts 4 The priests and the Sadducees arrest Peter and John for their proclamation of the resurrection of Christ. On trial before the high-priestly family, Peter boldly proclaims Christ. Even though Peter and John refuse to cease proclaiming Christ, their captors release them because the crowds are praising God that Peter and John have healed a lame man. The believers pray to the Lord. The believers pool their possessions and have everything in common.
April 20 TLH 436 / LSB 710 John 10 Jesus proclaims Himself to be the Good Shepherd. Jesus teaches that He is one with God the Father. The Jews attempt to stone Jesus and to arrest Him, but Jesus escapes and crosses the Jordan. Many people believe in Him.
April 22 TLH 209 Genesis 14 After Lot has been captured during a battle, Abram uses his own personal army to restore Lot, the people of Lot’s household, and his possessions. Melchizedek blesses Abram. (Refer to Hebrews 7 for more information regarding Melchizedek.)
April 23 TLH 444 / LSB 668 Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira sell a piece of land and promise to give all of the proceeds to the church, but secretly keep some of the money for themselves. Both are struck dead as a result of their pretentious dishonesty. The apostles perform many signs and wonders. Out of jealousy, the high priest and the Sadducees imprison the apostles. Defiantly the apostles continue to proclaim Christ. At the advice of Gamaliel, the council has the apostles beaten and released.
April 24 TLH 507 / LSB 830 Acts 6 The church chooses seven men, including Stephen, to serve in the daily distribution of food. Enemies seize Stephen, bring him before the council, and accuse him falsely.
April 25 TLH 259 Acts 7 Before the high priest, Stephen preaches an impressive sermon on a series of Old Testament leaders, finally calling the Jewish leaders to account for their disobedience toward God and their murder of Christ. They stone Stephen to death.
April 26 TLH 411 Acts 8 Saul approves of the execution of Stephen. Persecution rages and spreads, scattering the faithful throughout Judea and Samaria. Simon the magician believes the preaching of Philip and is baptized. Simon offers Peter and John money in exchange for the power to convey the Holy Spirit. Peter calls Simon to repentance. Philip preaches to and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.
April 27 TLH 37 / LSB 573 John 15 Jesus is the vine and believers are the branches. We receive life from Him. He feeds us and makes us fruitful in lives of obedience and love. Since the world hated the vine, the world will hate the branches.
April 29 TLH 63 / LSB 344 Genesis 15 The Lord promises to provide for Abram a biological son, through whom Abram will become the father of a great nation.
April 30 TLH 210 / LSB 464 Genesis 16 Since Sarai is unable to bear children, she gives her servant, Hagar, to Abram to bear his children. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. The arrangement results in significant family drama.

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